Location, location, location! It's the buzzword of real estate agents around the world and it's an important part of Carmacks' appeal to Yukon travellers. A short two hour drive from Whitehorse (more if you stop at all the scenic points along the way), and on the junction of the North Klondike and Robert Campbell highways, Carmacks is a great spot to "set up camp" while you go exploring through the Yukon.

We're a natural starting or drop-off point for canoeists, with the exciting Five Finger Rapids just downriver. From Carmacks, you're two hours from Faro, a little over two hours to Mayo and the Silver Trail (you have to visit Elsa and Keno) and four hours from the historic gold rush town of Dawson City. You can leave Carmacks first thing in the morning, make a day of it in whichever direction you decide to go, and still be back in time for a barbecue and, if your timing is right, karaoke night.

Don't feel like cooking after a hard day on the trail? Our local restaurant seasonal Coal Mine campground canteen offers a large selection of different foods. In the winter, you can step out the door and see the aurora borealis, with none of the light pollution you have to avoid in the city.

So, consider Carmacks as your base of operations while you explore the Yukon. Use our hotel, RV parks and campgrounds. And, when you've seen enough of the country around us, spend a couple days exploring our own backyard. Visit the Tage Cho Hudan interpretive centre for a good look at Northern Tutchone history, or explore the agate trails and maybe find a geode. Walk the Nordenskiold ridge and view the First Nations spirit houses (please respect their culture) or take a walking tour through the community or along the boardwalk. Lots to see and do, and well worth the extra day or two to take it all in!

Your safety coming to and leaving Carmacks is important to us. Here's a linkto give you some hints on special driving conditions and needs you may have while visiting the Yukon.

This Carmacks map, in the inimitable style of well-known Yukon artist Chris Caldwell, can be viewed in full size by clicking here. Chris spent a few days in Carmacks and caught the highlights of our community in this map, which has been a favourite restaurant place-mat, poster, and now a feature of our website. Some copies are still available at the Village Office. Visit Chris at www.caldwellart.com

Wow! We just discovered Curtis Vos's book "The Yukon Hiking Guide". It's been around since 1999, but gives an almost current review of some of the walks and hikes you can take around Carmacks. Curtis identifies 5 great short walks, including the waterfront boardwalk, ridge trail, Coal Mine lake, the Northern Tutchone loop, and Five Finger Rapids, and gives a good description of 4 agate/gem trails - Miller's Ridge, Charlie Lake, Plume Agate and Cliffside.